ARTICLES ABOUT JURY TRIAL BY DATE - PAGE 2

Note: This story was updated Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. GAYLORD - James Platte Jr., 33, received a 30-50 year sentence Tuesday after he was found guilty last month in an August 2006 incident in Bagley Township in which he intentionally crashed the vehicle he was driving with his then girlfriend Dianna Horridge sitting in the passenger seat. Otsego County 46th Circuit Court Judge Janet Allen said Platte, who is currently serving a term of up to 15 years in prison on two counts of drug possession in Otsego County, received the sentence after he was found guilty by a jury Oct. 18 on one count each of assault with intent to murder, fleeing the scene of a personal injury accident and domestic violence - aggravated assault.

The jury trial for a Cross Village woman, who police allege falsely reported a stabbing and breaking and entering, has been re-scheduled for next month. Dakota Lynn Shananaquet, 35, was originally scheduled for a two-day jury trial, beginning Jan. 19. However, because the Michigan State Police Crime Lab had not yet returned DNA samples to the Emmet County Prosecutor's Office, regarding blood found at the crime scene, the trial was delayed. On Aug. 3, 2010 in Cross Village, Shananaquet reported to a neighbor that she had been stabbed multiple times with a pocket knife.

The jury trial for an Onaway man, who police believe caused an accident in August 2009, which claimed the lives of four Gaylord men, has been postponed. Daniel William Nessel, 22, was originally scheduled to face a four-day jury trial, beginning today, Feb. 22, through Feb. 25, in 57th Circuit Court, for four counts of negligent homicide, each of which is a two-year, high-court misdemeanor. The trial, however, was pushed back to May 23-26, after Nessel's defense attorney, Robert Engel, requested additional time to prepare his case.

The jury trial for a Cross Village woman, who police allege falsely reported a breaking and entering and stabbing last year, has been postponed in 57th Circuit Court. Dakota Lynn Shananaquet, 35, was originally scheduled for a two-day jury trial from Jan. 19-20. According to Duane Beach, chief assistant prosecutor for Emmet County, the trial has been adjourned because the Michigan State Police Crime Lab has not yet returned DNA results regarding blood found at the scene. On Aug. 3, 2010, Shananaquet reported to a neighbor in Cross Village that she had been stabbed multiple times with a pocket knife.

A Petoskey man, who is facing several criminal sexual conduct charges, is now scheduled for a jury trial in February of 2011. Cary Lee Field, 36, was arrested in October by the Michigan State Police Petoskey Post during a routine traffic stop in front of Walmart. While running Field's information, troopers discovered that he had a warrant out for his arrest for alleged sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl from 2008 through 2010. Initially, Field was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; one count of child sexually abusive activity, which is a 20-year felony; one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony; and a habitual second offense enhancement, which could increase his maximum penalty by half.

A Cross Village woman, who police allege falsely reported a serious crime earlier this year, is now scheduled to face a jury of her peers in 57th Circuit Court. According to a court affidavit, on Aug. 3, Dakota Lynn Shananaquet, 35, reported to a neighbor that she had been stabbed multiple times with a pocket knife. Shananaquet allegedly told the neighbor that she was taking a shower in the home that she had been staying in when she heard the sound of breaking glass. As she came downstairs, Shananaquet reportedly told the woman that she observed a man using a crowbar to try to break into the home's safe.

The jury trial, for a Petoskey man who allegedly attempted to solicit the murder of his girlfriend from the Emmet County Jail earlier this year, has been delayed. Brian Keith Haag, 40, who is currently serving between 10-40 years in prison for drug and weapons charges, was arrested June 7 by the Emmet County Sheriff's Department for allegedly attempting to have his 21-year-old girlfriend, Maribeth Ann Lauer of Pellston, killed. As a result, Haag was charged with one count of homicide -- solicitation of murder, a life felony; as well as habitual offender - fourth offense, which could enhance his maximum penalty up to life in prison.

A jury trial for a Petoskey man facing several first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges has been postponed. Scott Douglas Jewell, 36, who is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy more than 20 times from April 2009 to May 2010 in Emmet County, was originally scheduled to face trial Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in 57th Circuit Court, however, according to Emmet County Prosecutor Jim Linderman, this was pushed back because of an attorney change. Linderman said, initially, Jewell was being represented by court-appointed attorney Bryan Klawuhn, but more recently, Hillary Briolat took over the case and needed additional time to file motions.

A Boyne City man is scheduled to be sentenced today in Otsego County’s 46th Circuit Court for criminal sexual conduct. Steven Wayne Gardner, 23, who allegedly had sexual contact with two 13-year-old girls during the month of March in both Emmet and Otsego counties, originally faced multiple criminal sexual conduct charges. In Emmet County he faces one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (person 13-15), which is a 15-year felony; a second, or subsequent offender enhancement, which could double his maximum penalty; and habitual offender-second offense, which could enhance his maximum penalty by half.

A Petoskey man, who is currently serving 10-40 years in prison for drug and weapons charges, is set to face a jury trial in September for an unrelated charge. Brian Keith Haag, 41, was arrested June 7 by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department for allegedly attempting to solicit the murder of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Maribeth Ann Lauer of Pellston, while in the Emmet County Jail awaiting sentencing for a prior case. According to an affidavit in 57th Circuit Court, Haag became angered when he learned that his girlfriend had agreed to testify against him; as a result, he allegedly asked other inmates if they, or someone outside the jail, would “kill” Lauer in exchange for $5,000.